Combustion toilet

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an incinerating toilet, having a basic structure (1) accommodating a preferably insulating block (5), which is rotatable in a horizontal plane, and provided with at least one recess (2, 2&#39;, 2&#34;) in its upper surface, this recess opening out in register with at least one opening (3), capped by a lidded seat ring (4), in the upper surface of the structure. The recess (2, 2&#39;, 2&#34;) accommodates an outer and an inner receptacle (6, 7) with a space (8) therebetween. An incinerating flame (9), or the like, and an air supply (10) are arranged via a sealing lid (11) over the recess when it is in a position rotated away from the place where the seat ring (4) is situated, this flame and air supply being together intended to incinerate waste deposited by the toilet user in the inner receptacle (7) simultaneously as the combustion gases occurring during incineration may be taken through the space (8), these gases dissipating more heat during their passage through the space for assisting in the vaporization of water and urine in the waste, before the gases reach atmosphere via an outlet (15).

The present invention relates to an incinerating toilet, which has abasic structure accommodating a preferably insulating block, which isrotatable in a horizontal plane, and provided with at least one recessin its upper surface, this recess opening out in register with at leastone opening capped by a lidded seat ring, in the upper surface of thestructure.

The object of the present invention is to provide an incinerating toiletof the kind mentioned above, that fullfils its purpose excellently,while being simple and cheap in production. The distinguishing featuresof the invention are disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Due to the invention, there has now been provided a toilet, in whichwaste incineration takes place separately from the place where the userperforms his/her natural functions. LPG gas or oil fuel are preferredfor combustion, the excess heat generated not being vented directly toatmosphere, but taken into a space between an inner and an outerreceptacle, the former being intended for collecting waste and thelatter being accommodated in the recess in the rotatable block,effective vaporization of water and/or urine thus being obtained. Inpreviously known solutions this is the most difficult to vaporize andincinerate. Different types of shape and different numbers ofreceptacles, with or without partition walls, may be used here to affordrapid vaporization of water or urine, by having their bottom areas aslarge as possible. The capacity of the toilet, i.e. the number of visitsit can cope with in a given time, may also be increased by using severalreceptacles. In addition, effectively improved waste incineration isachieved by supplying air through pipes in a direction towards the wasteduring combustion, this air causing the solid waste to be broken up,i.e. small cavities are formed in it, enabling the combustion flames notonly to contact the solid waste constituents from above, but also suchas to penetrate into it, thus providing both complete and rapidincineration thereof. Incineration time is also considerably shortenedby combining the just-mentioned air supply with the provision of fins inthe space between the receptacles.

The invention will now be described in more detail below, with the aidof a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view, partly in section, of anincinerating toilet in accordance with the invention, which includes asubstructure accommodating a block of insulating material provided withrecesses, the block being rotatable such that the recesses can come togiven stations for use, incineration and possible cooling.

FIG. 2 is a view from above of the block and its recesses, the blockbeing provided with an insulating material.

FIG. 3 is a similar view of the block, without insulation, a scraperblade for removal of paper or other matter also being shown, the bladebeing adapted for attachment to the central shaft of the block.

FIGS. 4-8 are different views of the inner and outer receptacles and thespace therebetween, pipes for air supply to the inner receptacle alsobeing shown in FIGS. 6-8.

FIG. 9 is a view of a lid for use with the receptacles, when one of themis at the combustion station.

FIG. 10 is a similar view to the one in FIG. 1, but shows an alternativeembodiment where there are two pairs of inner and outer receptacles,each inner receptacle being rotatable in relation to the block, andprovided with at least two compartments, and

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate the receptacle configurations used in theembodiment example illustrated in FIG. 10.

As will be particularly apparent from FIG. 1, the incinerating toiletincludes a basic structure 1, which accommodates an insulating block 5,rotatable in a horizontal plane, and provided with at least one recess2, 2', 2" in its upper surface, this recess opening out in register withan opening 3, capped by a lidded seat ring 4, made in the upper surfaceof the structure 1.

In each recess 2, 2', 2" there is an inner receptacle 7 with a space 8between it and an outer receptacle 6. In one embodiment example of theinvention (unillustrated on the drawings) the inner receptacle 7 mayinclude at least two mutually partitioned compartments. A flame from ajet 9, supplied with LPG gas or fuel oil, and an air supply 10 aredisposed on a separate, raisable lid 11 situated above the appropriaterecess 2, 2', 2", now placed at the incinerating station. There aremeans 12, 13 for rotating the block 5, and also such as a foot pedal andcatch, which may be operated at predetermined, suitable occasions,depending on the incineration process.

At the incinerating station, the flame from the jet 9 together withsupply air 10 are intended totally to incinerate the waste deposited inthe inner receptacle 7 after a visit to the toilet, while the flue gasesthus generated are taken through the space 8 via a vent 40. During theirpassage through the space 8 the gases surrender heat to the innerreceptacle 7 for aiding vaporization of water and/or urine in thedeposited waste, before they are taken to atmosphere via an outlet 15,filter 16 and flue pipe 17. To facilitate incineration the receptacle 7may be provided with a grating 18' for separating solid and liquidwaste. As will be seen from FIGS. 4-8, the receptacle is provided withfins 7' on its surface facing space 8, as well as pipes 41 and 42 forsupplying outside air to the receptacle via outlets 43, 44, which areadjustable to different angular attitudes for obtaining the best,desired result. During incineration the fins 7' contribute to heatingthe receptacle as they take up heat from the flue gases, as these gasespass through space 8 via vent 40 on their way to outlet 15. Even moreeffective incineration may be obtained by blowing air through pipes 41and 42 towards the waste. Likewise, after termination of incinerationthe fins act for cooling as air blown from pipes 41 and 42 passes overthem, continuing to do so for a given time after incineration.

The inventive toilet functions in the following manner. After using thetoilet, the user lowers the lid on the seat and activates a push button(unillustrated on the drawings). The block 5 is thus caused to rotatewith its recesses 2, 2', 2" and the receptacles therein. When thereceptacle 7 with its newly deposited waste comes into position at theincinerating station, an insulated lid 11 is lowered over it. Flamesfrom the jet 9 and air from supply 10 are now directed towards thecontents of receptacle 7 for incinerating the solid waste and causingwater and/or urine to evaporate, assisted by flue gases taken throughthe space 8 via vent 40. After a given time, when all the waste has beenincinerated and water and/or urine have evaporated, air supply 10 andfuel to the jet 9 are cut off automatically. The receptacle 7, afteroptional removal of ashes and optional cooling, may then be transferredby the block 5 to the station for deposition. The block may of course beoperated automatically also, with the aid of timing equipment not shownhere.

With regard to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 it may be mentionedthat three recesses 2, 2', 2" are used here, each containing an innerand outer receptacle. They are operated such that when recess 2 and itsreceptacles are at the use or deposition station, the recess 2' is atthe incinerating station with the lid 11 lowered for tightly sealingagainst the receptacles 6, 7, the inner one 7 being the one in whichincineration takes place, as will be more easily seen in FIGS. 4-8.Receptacle 7 is formed to serve as an insert, and is shown in moredetail in FIGS. 4-5. Although not shown on the drawing the receptacle 7may be sub-divided into two or more separate compartments. The thirdrecess 2" and its receptacles are at the cooling station, under aventilation plate 18, which is provided with ducts and orifices 19 forsupply air and 20 for exhaust air/ventilation. A hose 21 takes theexhaust air to the outlet 15. After the use station, in the rotationaldirection of block 5, there is a scraper blade 39 for pushingerroneously deposited waste or the like back into receptacle 7.

The sealing lid 11, shown in more detail in FIG. 9, includes, interalia, a hinge 26 pivotally joining it to the substructure 1.Incineration can only take place when the lid is completely closed, andthis is ensured with the aid of a small recess 24 made in the upper edge25 of the block 5 for each receptacle pair. This recess assists inactuating initiation and termination of incineration. When a recess andits receptacles come into position at the incineration station the lid11 is closed over them, thus allowing a lug 22, mounted on an ignitiondevice 23, in turn mounted on the lid 11, to be acted on via a linkagesystem 39 as the lid is sealed against the receptacles, resulting inthat the device 23 ignites the incineration flame.

In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 10, the rotating block 5 ofthe incinerating toilet is provided with two recesses 2, 2'accommodating receptacles 6, 7, of which the latter is rotatable in theblock itself. Rotation of the block and operation of the lid 11 takeplace in the same way as with the previously mentioned embodiment. Thegreatest difference here is that the receptacles 6, 7 may be rotatabletogether in their respective recesses 2, 2'. This rotation is performedwith the aid of gear wheels 28 mounted on vertical shafts 27 andoperated by a gear segment 29 attached to an operating lever 30. Thelever 30 is provided with a knob 31 to facilitate its operation. Thereceptacles used in this embodiment are shown in more detail in FIGS.11-14, where it will be seen that the inner receptacle 7 has twocompartments 32 and 33, separated by partition wall 34. The innerreceptacle 7, or so-called collection cup, is arranged in receptacle 6and rotates in it with the aid of an advancing means together with means27-31. Receptacle 7 is provided with heat energy dissipation fins 35accommodated in the space 8. The outlet 15 is connected to atmospherevia filter 16 and flue pipe 17. With this embodiment also, air supplypipes similar to those in FIGS. 6 and 8 may be arranged in receptacle 7to make incineration more effective. A slide ring/sealing ring 36, e.g.made from teflon, is provided at the edge portions of the receptacles 6and 7, for reducing friction between them when receptacle 6 is rotated.

In the case where the inner receptacle has two compartments 32, 33,either one or other of them is rotated into a position apparent fromFIG. 10. The other compartment will then be covered by a plate 37. Inthis embodiment, the lid at the incineration station has, of course, around shape corresponding to that of the receptacles. A flexible hose 38is used to take exhaust air to the flue pipe 17.

The incineration toilet in accordance with the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10 functions in the following manner. One of the two recesses 2, 2'are either in a forward or rear position. The recess in the forwardposition has, for example, its receptacle 7 turned so that compartment32 will be used, the other one 33 being under the cover plate 37. Afterdeposition of waste, the receptacle 7 is rotated by actuating knob 31,such that compartment 32 comes under cover plate 37. When a depositionhas been made in compartment 33, the block 5 is rotated 180°, so thatthe used compartments 32, 33 assume the incineration position. Afterwaste incineration, the recess 2 with its receptacles can be returned tothe use station when both compartments 32 and 33 in the receptacle 7already there have been used. The utilization cycle is then repeated asrequired.

I claim:
 1. An incinerating toilet, comprising:a housing having an uppersurface and a housing opening in the upper surface; an outer receptacledisposed in the housing, the outer receptacle having a first receivingchamber and an outer receptacle opening providing access into the firstreceiving chamber, the outer receptacle opening is placed in registerwith the housing opening to receive waste; an inner receptacle having asecond receiving chamber and an inner receptacle opening providingaccess into the second receiving chamber, the inner receptacle isdisposed in the first receiving chamber such that waste depositedthrough the housing opening is deposited into the second receivingchamber through the inner receptacle opening, the inner receptacle beingdisposed in the outer receptacle but spaced apart therefrom to define aspace therebetween, the inner receptacle including a vent to permit gasto flow from the second receiving chamber into the space between theinner and outer receptacles; a sealing member disposed on the uppersurface of the housing for sealing the second receiving chamber afterthe deposit of waste therein so that the waste can be incinerated, thesealing member including an incinerating element and an air supplyelement supported on a surface thereof facing the second receivingchamber for supplying incineration gases toward the waste to beincinerated; and a plurality of heat absorbing fins disposed in thespace between the inner and outer receptacles, the fins extending in adirection of flow of flue gases from the second receiving chamber andthrough the vent and through the space, wherein the plurality of finsfacilitate heating of the inner receptacle by absorbing heat from theflue gases passing therethrough.
 2. The incinerating toilet according toclaim 1, further comprising an outlet conduit extending from the outerreceptacle and in fluid communication with the space between the innerand outer receptacles, and wherein the plurality of fins extend from thevent to the outlet conduit.
 3. The incinerating toilet according toclaim 1, wherein the inner receptacle further comprises at least one airsupply pipe mounted thereto, the air supply pipe having an outletdirected into the second receiving chamber for directing an air flowtoward the waste to be incinerated, and wherein each air supply pipe ismounted to the inner receptacle via means for adjusting a direction ofair flow through the outlet into the inner receptacle.
 4. Theincinerating toilet according to claim 1, comprising at least two setseach comprising one of the outer receptacles and a corresponding one ofthe inner receptacles disposed in the outer receptacle, and the at leasttwo sets of outer and inner receptacles are exchangeably disposed in thehousing and with respect to the incinerating element such that whilewaste in one inner receptacle is being incinerated, another innerreceptacle is available for deposit of waste therein.
 5. Theincinerating toilet according to claim 4, wherein the sets of outer andinner receptacles are revolvably mounted in the housing to revolvebetween the location where waste is to be deposited and another locationat the incinerating element.
 6. The incinerating toilet according toclaim 1, wherein the inner receptacle is divided into at least twomutually separate compartments, so that when one compartment is at theincinerating element, another compartment is available for deposit ofwaste.
 7. The incinerating toilet according to claim 6, wherein thedivided inner receptacle is rotatably mounted in the outer receptaclearound an axis of the divided inner receptacle so that each separatecompartment is rotatable between the location where waste is to bedeposited and a location at the incinerating element.
 8. Theincinerating toilet according to claim 1, wherein the sealing memberfurther includes a switch mounted thereon for activating theincinerating element to actuate an incineration process when the sealingmember is sealed over the second receiving chamber and for deactivatingthe incinerating element to terminate the incinerating process when thesealing member is not sealed over the second receiving chamber.
 9. Theincinerating toilet according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outerreceptacles each have a hemispherical shape.